Council to reopen flood-hit road in Bath
Water in a culvert blamed for flooding on a busy Bath road has been diverted by council workers.
A stretch of Weston Road alongside Royal Victoria Park was closed last night to allow work to tackle long-standing flooding problems.
Heavy rain has made the stretch barely passable, as water fails to drain away properly.
There have been problems over the last week and at one point, police became involved.
15% OFF ALL CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING THROUGHOUT MAY AND JUNE 2013
Contact: 01761 252680
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Yesterday, temporary traffic lights were installed and Bath and North East Somerset Council staff were at the scene monitoring the situation, while the road has been closed for much of today.
The council said it would reopen the road in time for tonight’s rush hour after a temporary diversion of the culvert.
Local councillors say lack of adequate drainage on the road is causing a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The council said that it had identified a problem with the culvert - an underground tunnel carrying water - beneath Weston Road, which takes surface and spring water from sources in the north of the city.
It said the problem with the culvert had a knock-on effect on gullies in Weston Road, which connect to it, causing them to flood.
B&NES organised for specialist pumping and clearing equipment to be brought in to clear the flood and reduce the flow in the culvert.
It said this would allow it to undertake a CCTV survey to determine the cause.
This afternoon it said: “Works to resolve the flooding in Weston Road have progressed to a stage where we have removed the flooding risk through a temporary diversion of the culvert. This arrangement will help us to determine a long term solution. The road has been cleaned and is reopening in time for Thursday evening’s rush hour.”
The council added: “We are working as quickly as possible to resolve this issue and we thank road users and pedestrians for their patience while we determine the problem with the culvert.”
Part of the road and pavement was covered in deep water for several days, meaning that cars had to drive down the centre of the highway, taking turns to pass by, while pedestrians found it impassable.
Conservative councillors have previously criticised Liberal Democrat-run B&NES over cuts to the drain and gully clearing budget, but the authority insists these reductions have absolutely no bearing on the current problem.
Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones (Con, Lansdown), who has written to the council about the problem, said: “The situation last weekend was really pretty dangerous, especially for people walking or cycling along the road. The pavement was simply unusable on parts of the road, meaning pedestrians were walking out into the road or trying to climb across the railings. The council really needs to look at this and take urgent action.”
His party colleague Councillor Colin Barrett (Con, Weston), added: “This flooding is simply unacceptable on a road which is so well used by walkers and cyclists going to Victoria Park. I hope this demonstrates to the council that cutting the budget for drain and gully clearing is shortsighted and nonsensical, and will now agree to reverse this cut.”
B&NES stressed that there had been no reduction in gully clearing in that part of the city.
In a statement, it said: “The country is experiencing one of the wettest periods in 100 years.
“Such a substantial increase in the volume of surface water and run-off from adjoining land will inevitably result in some parts of the drainage system being overwhelmed. Before the drain can empty properly, even more water enters the system.”
 |
|||
| Pictures |
|||
|
Comments
by Mr_Nemo
Friday, October 19 2012, 10:01PM
“I noticed that the Archaeology group were doing investigations in front of Royal Crescent this week - looking for the Fosse Way perhaps? Maybe with jezer's talk of old bridges, there is a connection here - perhaps BANES is going to blame it all on sub-standard Roman culverts !!”
by jezer
Thursday, October 18 2012, 9:45PM
“Well, I remember when Southgate Street was flooded in 1968, and before that the original Old Bridge being damaged in 1962. A temporary Bailey Bridge was erected before the present Churchill Bridge was built.”
by James__Wood
Thursday, October 18 2012, 3:19PM
“Outragedobath I'd bit a little careful saying 'Many are diesel so don't have HT leads susceptible to loss of spark.' Because most modern cars, diesel and petrol, have their air intake very low down at the front of the car (to pull in cool air rather than less efficient pre-heated by radiator) the downside is that whilst it normally gulps in around 20 litres of air per second once in water reaches it you are looking at the cost of a new engine (water incompressible, piston going upwards quite fast = bent conrod). In the old days £2.99 for a can of WD40 today £1500 for a rebuilt engine.”
by capndave
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:49PM
“Do you know Peter I felt like a river person when I sailed down the Weston Road in me 12ft Avon rib yesterday. Bloke in his wellies looked a bit shocked when I asked him how far to The Dolphin.”
by Mr_Nemo
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:26PM
“Having now seen the flood pictures elsewhere on this site, I begin to wonder if the River Champion ought not to include Weston Road in his 'patch' ?”
by capndave
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:15PM
“The weird thing is Peter there are drains there. The gulley grids are simply blocked solid. I drove past slowly yesterday and whilst stopped watched as the water rushed excitingly over a gorgeous cast iron gully grid with all its slots sealed to perfection. I had a crow bar in the back of my wagon and was sorely tempted, but seeing a small army of yellow jackets and hard hats thought it wise to leave it to the professionals.”
by Mr_Nemo
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 8:45PM
“"The council added: "We are working as quickly as possible to resolve this issue...""
Rubbish - this problem has existed for YEARS, the current heavy rain has just made it worse for longer. Where has BANES been all this time? There is a dip in the road on the park side and there are no drains (as far as I can see), so it's not exactly 'rocket science' why a flood forms there.”
by capndave
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 8:19PM
“Simon how dare you suggest something that could be construed as common sense and logic.
Perhaps a pleasant waterfall feature would be a pleasant addition to the VP side.”
by outragedobath
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 7:43PM
“Unless you're traversing a water hazard which you are unfamiliar with and which may have hidden obstructions or depths, or if you're in a very low car like a Noble or Caterham, or unless there are pedestrians who could get soaked, why is it necessary to queue and travel down the middle of the road when there is a puddle? Conventional cars have a good road clearance, the cabins are sealed, and all have disc brakes at the front at least. Many are diesel so don't have HT leads susceptible to loss of spark. I tried sticking to the usual lane on the V Pk side of the puddle when it was at its deepest and, apart from some drag and a satisfyingly large spray plume either side, had no problem - the brakes were not perceptibly affected either.
Though culverts may be to blame, for years there has been a spring which rises up out of the tarmac in the gutter on the VP side a few hours after prolonged heavy rain on saturated ground - perhaps the retaining wall between the pavement and V Pk prevents underground flow making the water rise above the level of the road.”
by aurea_flamma
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 7:28PM
“There's a hole in the road council workmen are looking into it!”